Stephen argues against increasing the minimum income requirement on partner visas

Last year, the Government announced plans to increase the minimum income requirement on visas for people bringing their spouses into the UK to £38,700 by 2025. Stephen argued against this increase on Tuesday 23 April in Parliament. The Government plans to raise the minimum amount a person must earn to get a visa for their family to £38,700 by 2025. On Tuesday 23 April, MPs hosted a debate about the increase in Westminster Hall. Stephen joined the debate to speak against the change. In his speech, Stephen pointed out that 70% of UK citizens would not meet the new requirement. He noted that the Government’s own data shows family visas were only 5% of total entry visas. Stephen argued that increasing the minimum income requirement would barely reduce immigration, while separating couples from each other and their children. “The increase in the minimum income requirement”, Stephen said, “will be ineffective, it will be unfair, and it will be harmful. It should be scrapped.” The Government originally planned to raise minimum income requirements to £38,700 from this April. The Government delayed the increase under pressure from MPs, including Stephen asking the Prime Minister about the issue directly. Instead, the minimum income requirement was increased to £29,000 in April and the Government pledged to raise it further to £38,700 by 2025.